Third to ferd todd



W. CAMPBELL,

(No Model.)

RAIL GHAIR.

UNITED STATES \VILLIAM CAMPBELL, OF HOUTZDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR THIRD TO FERD TODD, OF SAME PLACE.

RAIL- PATENT OFFICE;

OF ONE- CHAIR.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,064, dated November 10, 1896.

Ap licati filed December 23, 1895. Serial No. 573,076. (No model.)

To all whom it may cancer/1 Be it known that I, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at I-Ioutz dale, in the county of Olearfield and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Rail-Chair, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in rail-chairs.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of rail-chairs, and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient one which may be employed in connection with metallic cross-ties or wooden ones, and which will be adapted to securely clamp a rail and be capable of adjustment to accommodate itself to the size of a rail.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claim hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a cross-tie provided with a chair constructed in accordance with this invent-ion. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail perspective views of the adjustable clamp.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlngs.

l designates across-tie constructed of suitable metal and provided adjacent to its ends with integral chairs comprising parallel bottom portions 2, disposed longitudinally of the tie, and a transverse jaw 3, beveled at its engaging edge 4 and adapted to engage one edge of the bottom flange of a rail. The parallel bottom portion may be formed integral with the cross-tie or be integral with a base-plate adapted to be secured to a wooden or other cross-tie by spikes or other suitable fastening devices. The other edge of the bottom flange of the rail 5 is engaged by an adjustable clamp 6, having a jaw 7 at one end and provided with a shank 8, arranged in the space between the bottom portions of the chair and extending longitudinally of the cross-tie beyond the chair. The jaw 7 is beveled to conform to the configuration of the adjacent edge of the bottom flange of the rail and securely engages the same, the rail being interposed between the jaws 3 and 7.

The clamp is provided at one end of the shank with a transverse slot or opening 8 in which is arranged a wed ge-shaped key 9, having a straight edge to bear against the chair at the adjacent edge thereof, and having its opposite edge tapering and adapted when the key is driven into position to draw the adjustable clamp longitudinally of the cross-tie to securely clamp the rail and to adjust itself to the size of the same. The smaller end 10 of the wedge-shaped key is preferably split, as shown, and is adapted to be spread to prevent it from leaving the slot or opening of the shank of the adjustable clamp, but any other means may be employed for retaining it in operative position.

The bottom portions of the chair are pro vided at their inner longitudinal edges with grooves or recesses, which receive laterallydisposed flanges located at opposite sides of the shank of the adjustable clamp, whereby the latter is interlocked with the chair to prevent any accidental upward movement at its engaging end.

It will be seen that the chair is exceedingly simple and inexpensive in construction, that it possesses strength and durability, and that it is capable of securely confining a rail and of conforming to the size of the same.

Changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

\VhatI claim is The combination of a metal cross-tie having a flat upper face, chairs formed integral with the cross-tie and comprising parallel bottom portions 2 located on the upper face of the tie at opposite sides thereof and provided at their inner longitudinal edges with grooves, and a transverse jaw 3 formed integral with the parallel bottom portions 2, located at one end of the chair and having its engaging face beveled to conform to the configuration of the bottom flange of a rail, the'adjustable clamps composed of a flat shank arranged 011 the up per face of the cross-tie between the bottom portions 2 of the chair, extending the entire 2 svnoea length of the same and provided with longi tudinal flanges interlocked with the grooves of the said bottom portions, said shank being extended beyond the chair at the transverse 5 jaw 3 and provided with a horizontal opening, and the jaw 7 located at the other end of the shank and formed integral with the same, and the horizontally-disposed Wedge-shaped keys arranged in the openings of the shanks,

10 located beyond the chairs and abutting against the adjacent ends thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL. \Vitnesses:

JAMES CRAGO, JNo. B. MoGRArH. 

